Kolja (Kolya) (1996)

96% of critics liked it
(23 reviews)
91% of users liked it
(6,270 ratings)

55-year-old Louka (Zdenek Sverak) is a gifted musician in Czechoslovakia who once made a good living playing in the State Symphony Orchestra. However, he has little use for the government, and after putting a playfully insulting statement on a government form, he's been banished from official music… More 55-year-old Louka (Zdenek Sverak) is a gifted musician in Czechoslovakia who once made a good living playing in the State Symphony Orchestra. However, he has little use for the government, and after putting a playfully insulting statement on a government form, he's been banished from official music making. He ekes out a living by giving private lessons, painting gravestones with gold leaf, and performing at funerals. Louka also likes to chase younger women, a surprisingly number of whom are more than happy to be caught. However, when a friend suggests marriage to a stranger, Louka is unexpectedly willing to consider the matter. It seems that Broz (Ondrej Vetchy), a gravedigger and a good friend of Louka's, has a niece, Nadezda (Irena Livanova), with a young son who wants to stay in Czechoslovakia. However, she's a Russian citizen and lacks the proper papers. In order to stay, the young mother needs to marry a Czech citizen, and she and her aunt are willing to pay a "husband" for his troubles. Louka, hard up for cash and in need of a used car, grudgingly agrees to the arrangement and weds Nadezda. However, once she has her papers, Nadezda heads for West Germany to be with her boyfriend, and after her aunt unexpectedly dies, Louka finds himself in custody of his new "stepson," six-year-old Kolya (Andrei Khalimon). A confirmed bachelor, Louka knows next to nothing about taking care of a child, and he discovers that parenthood cramps his style with the ladies. However, Louka and Kolya soon become good friends, and Louka finds his outlook on life beginning to change, just as the "Velvet Revolution" sounds the call of a new era in Czechoslovakia. Kolya won both the Academy Award and the Golden Globe as Best Foreign Language Film of 1997. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 45 min.
Directed By: Jan Sverák
Written By: Zdenek Sverák
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 24, 1997 Wide
On DVD: Jul 2, 2002
Studio: Miramax

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Disappoints as a lumbering mainstream pic that is all too familiar to Americans.
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...one of those beautiful, sweet, buttery-lit movies that will leave all but the bitterest cynics smiling.
Betty Jo Tucker, ReelTalk Movie Reviews
With his big sad eyes, Andrej Chalimon pulls us lovingly and completely into Kolya's life. He's simply perfect as a little Russian refugee in this poignant movie treasure.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jan Marc M

Kolya is an adorable and charming light drama of a Russian child unexpectedly changing the course of the life of a "father" in question. A genius mix of light drama and humor. The enchanting story, solid performances, and profound soundtrack paramount to a genuine magical… More
Kolya is an adorable and charming light drama of a Russian child unexpectedly changing the course of the life of a "father" in question. A genius mix of light drama and humor. The enchanting story, solid performances, and profound soundtrack paramount to a genuine magical experience for the heart.
Cynthia S

A charming film with solid performances. KOYLA celebrates the life and trials of a middle-aged cellist in Prague during the Soviet occupation. Louka plays the cello like an angel, but seduces married women with his devilish charm. All this changes when he inherits a young boy from an… More
A charming film with solid performances. KOYLA celebrates the life and trials of a middle-aged cellist in Prague during the Soviet occupation. Louka plays the cello like an angel, but seduces married women with his devilish charm. All this changes when he inherits a young boy from an arranged marriage. The uneasy relationship between man and boy blossoms into mutual affection. Beautifully filmed, KOYLA ranks high as a must-see movie!
Luke B

Proof that originality isn't everything. Kolya plays out like so many sentimental pieces of guff. Grouchy old womanising man is left with a child he doesn't want. Of course he starts to care for the child and they bond, igniting a part of the man he never knew existed. It… More
Proof that originality isn't everything. Kolya plays out like so many sentimental pieces of guff. Grouchy old womanising man is left with a child he doesn't want. Of course he starts to care for the child and they bond, igniting a part of the man he never knew existed. It succeeds by first placing it in a setting of political unrest. Second, it creates a language barrier between the boy and man, making the sparks of friendship even more affective. Last, the young boy isn't precocious or irritating. He's a sweet boy, and the performance is one of heartwarming realism. It all becomes a bit too sweet and sugary, but at least it ends with it's dignity in tact.
Daisy M

<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/hs3ss6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Some movie where little children and great acting were involved… More
<a href="http://tinypic.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i30.tinypic.com/hs3ss6.jpg" border="0" alt="Image and video hosting by TinyPic"></a> Some movie where little children and great acting were involved captivated my heart, example The color of Paradise, Turtles can Fly,Ponette and now this Czech movie Kolya.It was a story of Louka, a poor Czech musician,who agreed to marry a young Russian woman,for some cash and so she can stay in Czech Slovakia. But she moved soon to Germany, leaving the grandmother to take care of her 5 yrs old son Kolya. When she died, Kolya was brought to Louka. This leaded to many difficulties,Kolya spoke only Russian and Louka was not prepared to take care of him..But it was nice to see how their relationship became so strong and also to see how Louka started to care for Kolya. It showed the world through Kolya's eyes. It had wonderful photography and some funny and moving scenes. Beautiful. I really love it....